Militia man heads to prison on firearms charges

BROWNSVILLE — A member of a citizen group known as “Rusty’s Rangers” or “Rusty’s Regulators” has been ordered to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm on two separate occasions.

Kevin Lyndel Massey, 49, of Quinlan, was found guilty Sept. 30, 2015, following a bench trial before the U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, handed Massey a 41-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court records, “Rusty’s Rangers” or “Rusty’s Regulators” consisted of citizens who mounted armed patrols in the Rio Grande area allegedly in search of and to possibly apprehend aliens attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.

On Aug. 29, 2014, law enforcement agents were pursuing suspected illegal aliens in heavy brush when they encountered an individual of the group.

A Border Patrol agent allegedly perceived him as a threat and discharged his weapon, but did not strike the armed citizen.

Massey, following the shooting, arrived in the area armed with a .45 caliber pistol and a rifle.

According to court records, Massey was identified by law enforcement who learned of his prior criminal history which included burglary.

Because of this criminal history, Massey is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The court heard that Massey was later arrested Oct. 20, 2014, outside a motel in Brownsville.

At the time, according to trial testimony, he was armed with a .45 caliber pistol, while another .45 caliber pistol was thereafter located in his motel room. At that time, more than 2,600 rounds of ammunition were seized in connection with the search of his truck and motel room.

Massey will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Hagen and Jason Corley prosecuted the case.